Tank heater



June 1937- L. H. BURKHART. JR 2,035,632

TANK HEATER Filed Jan. 16, 1956 INVEN TOR Fk'a. 4- BY W XZW/ ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE Many liquids stored in tanks are of a nature that makes it desirable to heat them. One of the principalpurposes for heating the liquid is to assure a free flow of the liquid from the tank. The present invention is designed to provide a more efficient heating apparatus and particularly one that may be readily serviced. Features and details ofthe invention will appear more fully from the" following specification and claims.

1 1O A preferred embodiment of the invention is i f illustrated in the accompanying drawing as follows? i i Fig. l -shows a central"longitudinal section of the heater in place in a tank.

Fig: 2 an end view of the heater.

Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1. f Fig. la/section onthe line 4.4 in Fig. 1.

l marks the tank. This has' an opening 2 in its side wall through which the shell 3 of the tank heater is introduced into the tank. The heater is supported within the tank by a post 4.

The shell is provided with a flange 5 at its outer end and a head 6 is secured to the shell by bolts Ba which extend through the head and flange. Steam coils 1 are arranged within the shell. As shown, there are two of these coils, one at each side of the shell, and each having an inlet pipe 8 and a discharge pipe 9 carried through the head, the head being provided with stuffing boxes l0 and I I for the inlet and discharge pipes respectively. The shell is provided with a discharge opening l2 arranged outside of the tank.

The inner end of the shell is closed by a valve I3 which closes on a seat l4 formed on the inner end of the shell. The valve has the guide extensions l5 which fit slidingly on the inner wall of the shell. The valve is also provided with radial ribs l6 which support a collar I! at the center of the valve.

An operating rod l8 extends from the valve through the casing and is adapted to operate the valve from outside of the tank and not only provide for opening and closing the valve when the shell is closed by the head 6, but also to maintain the valve in closed position when the head is removed for repairs. 7

In order that the main valve I3 may be more readily opened, the valve scheme is provided with a pilot valve I!) which can close an opening Na in the main valve. The valve l9 closes on the seat 20 arranged around the opening |9a and is secured to the end of the'rod 18. The rod 18 is provided with a shoulder 2| which is adapted to engage the collar II as the rod I8 is advanced.

In the operation of the valve, the pilot valve l 9 is openedwith the initial movement of the rod l 8. This permits the inflow of liquid to the heating chamber so as to balance the pressure between the tank and the chamber. With a further movement of the rod the main valve is picked up by the engagement of the shoulder 2| with the collar I1 and with the further movement the valve: I3 is opened. In closing the valves, if there is a head of liquid in the tank, the main valve is moved in the closing direction through the action of the head of liquid as rod l8 and shoulders 2| recede, and after the closing of the main valve, the further movement of the rod permits the closing of the pilot valve. If there is no head in the tank, the initial closing movement through the initial action of the rod l8 draws the pilot valve to its seat and the continued movement of the rod closes the main valve.

The rod I8 is guided at its outer end by a tube 22 which is carried by plates 23 welded to the tube and extending to the walls of the shell. The tube has a slot 24 and a pin 25 extends through the rod l8 and into the slot which limits the movement of the rod so as to limit the movement of the main valve l3 in order that the guide extensions l5 may be maintained within the shell. The rod [8 is screw threaded at its outer end and extends into a nut 26. The nut operates against a wear plate 21 seated on the end of the tube 22. The nut has a reduced extension 28 which extends through a stuffing box 29 in the head. The nut is provided with a squared end or'wrench hold 30 at its outer end. This wrench hold is normally enclosed by a cap 3|.

When it is desired to remove the coil for repair or service, the nut is operated to close the valve I3. This valve and the pilot valve may be given closing pressure through the action of the screw to any extent desired. The head 6 is removed from the shell. This is made possible in that the glands or stufiing boxes may be loosened or have their followers and packing removed so as to facilitate the easy removal of the head from the nut and also preferably from the inlet and exhaust discharge pipes 8 and 9. With the head removed either coil may be readily removed, repaired and returned to place. The head may also be readily replaced, the glands repacked, and

during this operation the liquid is retained in the tank by reason of the closed valves.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced into a tank with an end exposed, said shell having an inner opening for communicating with the tank; a valve controlling the opening; heating means in the shell; and mechanism operative through the shell from the exposed end for actuating the valve.

2. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank with an end exposed, said shell being open at its inner end; a valve closing on said opening; heating means in the shell; and mechanism operative through the shell from the exposed end for actuating the valve. 7

3. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank with an end exposed, said shell being open at its inner end; heating means in the shell; and mechanism operative through the shell for actuating the valve comprising a rod extending from the valve through the shell from the exposed end and adapted to be operated from the outerend of the shell. 1

4. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank, said shell being open at its inner end; a valve to close the inner end heating means in the shell; a mechanism operative through the shell for actuating the valvercomprising a rod extending from the valve through the shell, said rod being screw threaded at its outer end; a nut operating on the screw thread of the rod; and a head for the outer end of the shell through which the nut extends.

5. In a tank heater the combinationrof a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank with an end exposed, said shell having an opening for communicating with the tank; a valve controlling the opening; a head for the shell; a heating coil arranged in the shell, said head and coil being removable; and mechanism operative through the shell from the exposed end for actuatingthe valve.

6. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank with an end exposed, said shell having an opening for communication with the tank; a valve controlling the opening; a head for the shell; a heating coil arranged in the shell, said head and coil being removable; and mechanism operative through the shell from the exposed end for actuating the valve, said mechanism being adapted to maintain a closure of the valve with the head or coil removed.

'7. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the wall of a tank, said shell having an opening for communicating with the tank; a valve controlling the opening; a head for the shell; a heating coil arranged in the shell, said head and coil being removable; and mechanism operative through the shell for actuating the valve, said mechanism comprising a rod extending from the valve through the shell, and a screw mechanism operating in connection with the rod and operable through the head for actuating the valve.

8. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through the Wall of a tank, said shell having an opening for communication with the tank; a main valve controlling the opening; a pilot valve; heating means in the shell; and mechanism actuating said valves in sequence.

9. In a tank heater the combination of a shell adapted to be introduced through a wall of the tank, said shell having an opening for communication With the tank; a main valve controlling the opening; a pilot valve; heating means in the shell; and mechanism operative through the shell for automatically actuating the valves in sequence.

LOUIS H. BURKHART, JR. 

